Many methods needed to control feral animals
ABC Central Australia (Alice Springs), NT Country Hour, 20/07/2009 12:50pm
Kim Honan reports on new research into feral animal management. Aust is moving away from less humane methods of controlling feral animals. Dr Tony Peacock, Chief Executive, Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre says five methods have been taken off the books. He says they are encouraging a planned approach to feral animal management. The Federal Government-funded centre has just finished the first trial of HOGON, a feral pig bait, with a 90 per cent success rate. They have also proposed a new toxin, PAPE, to humanely control wild dogs and foxes. Trials will begin next month. Peacock says 1080 is still being used in the mean time, despite its ban in most other countries. Mark Pearson, Chief Executive, Animal Liberation, has welcomed the move towards the removal of cruel poisons, toxins and traps, but argues it is too little, too late. Pearson says Aust must look to more humane methods, arguing current methods don’t work. He says the best programs reduce numbers through sterility programs. Peacock says they would be lining up for fertility control if it was successful and could be adopted, which hasn’t been the case to date.
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